Wednesday, September 9, 2015

One of my favorite locations for trooping is Blossom Music
Center, the giant wooden amphitheater in the middle of the Cuyahoga Valley
National Park and summer home for the world famous Cleveland Orchestra.This year, the Cleveland Orchestra
decided to end their summer concert series with a two-night tribute to the
movie scores of John Williams, which includes blockbuster hits like "Harry
Potter," "Indiana Jones," "Superman: The Movie" and of course the "Star Wars" saga.

photo by: Gina Platzer

Because John Williams’ music is such an integral part of
what made Star Wars so popular, the Cleveland Orchestra invited Rebel Legion,
Ohio Garrison, Rancor Clan and The Dark Empire to be part of the weekend.Keep in mind, Blossom Music Center is a
HUGE venue (able to host over 23,000 guests) with both pavilion and lawn
seating.Thankfully, we managed to
get reinforcements from neighboring Carida Garrison.

Because of the beautiful Labor Day weekend weather people
were arriving as soon as the gates opened, many carrying blankets and picnic
baskets.Since it was Labor Day
weekend, you can imagine how HOT the weather was for folks wearing heavy Star
Wars costumes.Thankfully,
everyone made a point to stay hydrated and we had NO issues with
Troopers/Rebels going down due to the heat.

Every time we visit Blossom Music Center is a little different from the
last.This being my FIFTH time
trooping at this venue, I tend to look for what separates this one from the
others.What this event had was A
LOT of photos taken with guests walking in; which as Obi-Wan would say... “That’s WHY I’m HERE!”

But seriously, I don’t believe that I have taken more “selfies” with
guests in my life as I did this weekend – in addition to regular photo ops. Most
of our group was spread out near the main entrance, with a line of people
waiting for their chance to take pictures with each small group of characters.
A few of us broke away and walked over to the far pavilion area for a few
private photo ops with guests.

As you would expect over a holiday weekend, the Sunday concert as just
as busy as the night before. (maybe even more so?) Another beautiful
summer day and waves of guests stopping to take pictures with us as they enter
the main gates. I ended up serving a dual-role as 1/2 Rebel Pilot, 1/2
"traffic cop" -- having to instruct guest where to lineup, in between
taking photos, and stopping more then a few "photo bombers" from
crashing the line and other people's picture time with us.

As the sunset approached
and the Cleveland Orchestra was finished warming up, it was time for our group
to head backstage to “the bunker” -- we nicknamed because it does resembles the
hidden entrance on Endor -- to change out of costume and enjoy the
performance.I stayed behind (the
first night, in my Jedi costume) along with a few Troopers for Intermission, as
a pair of TKs “patrol” the stage.After
the concert, there was a fireworks show and what better way to cap off another
fantastic summer at Blossom Music Center!

Friday, August 21, 2015

“Star Wars Rebels”premiered last fall on Disney XD and introduced us to an
array of new characters. One of these
characters was Sabine Wren - a teenager from Mandalore whose specialty is a
graceful combination of artwork and demolitions. But how does the show's target audience, children, feel about
her?

I
started working on a Sabine costume off and on in September of last year.In May of this year, it was approved
for trooping at events featuring the Rebel Legion and other Star Wars costuming
groups. As a member of costuming
charity groups, gauging how children and fans feel about your character is an
easy task.I have trooped as
Sabine several times since May and each time brings a different experience; but
reactions are generally the same. Star Wars fans love Sabine!

Quite
often adults tell me how much they love Sabine, but the kids love her even
more. And Sabine fans are not
limited to young girls -- boys love her equally.Children of all ages excitedly run up to me as Sabine
wanting a picture, a high five, or some other interaction. Parents of these kids typically tell me
that Sabine is their child's favorite character. Sometimes, when a child is less shy they tell me
themselves!

When
I started working on my Sabine costume, I knew she would be popular at troops
since “Star Wars Rebels” is a currently running television series. But, as one of the female characters, I
did not expect fan reactions to be as overwhelming and positive as they were. I am very happy to see how well-loved
Sabine is, and I am proud to bring that personal level of interaction to fellow
Star Wars fans, especially the kids.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Northeast Ohio has a long history of Star Wars-themed
sporting events. Long before the Rebel Legion or 501st were in existence, my
parents used to take me out to the old Richfield Coliseum to watch The
Cleveland FORCE indoor soccer team play.The Cleveland FORCE promotional staff really played on the popularity of
the “Star Wars” films; even had the players enter through a giant inflatable
Darth Vader with his foot on a soccer ball. You know that line in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back when Chris Rock says, "I think George Lucas is gonna sue somebody!" ... well, rumor is, he almost did!

Eventually, The Cleveland FORCE and
indoor soccer league folded and the team’s history faded into legend. That is… until The Akron Rubber Ducks decided to invite
Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison, Rancor Clan and The Dark Empire to take part
in their “The Richfield Coliseum Strikes Back” promotion.

The Rubber Ducks put a new twist on the traditional “Star Wars
Night” promotion that many minor league baseball teams are doing, and
incorporating local fans love for the old Cleveland FORCE indoor soccer team.The Rubber Ducks wore jerseys that
resembled the old Cleveland FORCE uniforms, as well as welcomed former FORCE
players: Hector Marinaro, Bruce Miller, Otto Orf, Walter Schlothauer and Mike
Sweeney.

Seeing these guys brought back a lot of childhood memories for me: the “Star
Wars” theme blasting as the players entered the arena, Kai Haaskivi kicking in
a goal and the place would go INSANE! Marinaro (pictured above with me) played for the FORCE briefly in
Richfield, then later rejoined the second incarnation of The Cleveland Force in
the early 2000s. In fact, my first (unofficial) Jedi costume was at a Cleveland FORCE game.

Unfortunately, the Force wasn’t with the Rubber Ducks this
evening as they lost 7-5 to Erie Sea Wolves; despite a grand slam by Jordan
Smith.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Anyone with kids or knows a teacher understands the end of
the school year is a chance to relax and have a little fun before summer
recess. Julie Billiart School
decided to have a “space” theme for this year’s play day, and invited Great
Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison to help participate in some of the activities.

Julie Billiart School, in Lyndhurst, Ohio, is an alternative K-8 catholic
school, which works with children who have special learning needs. In a way,
this school is kind of like the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters from the “X-Men”
comics. As I learned from one of the instructors, the school itself was is housed in a converted mansion. Which today makes these kids X-Wing-Men? (sorry, Rebel Pilot humor)

As it turned out, this was a homecoming of sorts for
Fuzzball; who used to attend this school.Our Jedi alumni supervised the “Yoda Yoga” lesson and other Jedi-themed
games the kids were playing.Meanwhile, I was trained future starfighter pilots before they navigated
wheelchairs, dressed up like X-Wings.The kids would pair up (one steers while the other toss bean bags at
targets) while a few teachers and I would shower “asteroids” (balls of paper)
as their X-Wings passed by. Meanwhile,
our Stormtrooper escorted the groups of students to their respective stages. At his station, the children would work
on their accuracy (ironic, don’t ya think?) by throwing either a 'grenade', a rocket, or using a miniature golf club to swing a ball at a target. Upon completing all three stations, each
'Jedi Academy student' was given a certificate of achievement.

Many of the kids were even dressed in their Star Wars halloween
costumes, and even the ones who didn’t know much about Star Wars were having
FUN with all the space-themed games.

It’s tough finding members from volunteer fan groups, who
are available for an event request in the middle of a weekday. Yet even a small
crew of dedicated individuals can bring smiles to kids faces… and at the heart
of it all “it’s what we do!”

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Motor City Comic Con has been a landmark event since before
Great Lakes Base even existed.Some of my earliest and fondest memories of trooping have involved a
roadtrip up to Michigan for the annual comic book convention and assembly of
Rebel Legion and 501st members.The convention has grown significantly over the years and
Great Lakes Base has had to grow along with it.

Because of travelling for Star Wars Celebration, for budget
reasons Snips and I elected to attend this year’s Motor City in a single day-trip
on Saturday; like in the old days.Early on a Saturday morning, we loaded up the car and plotted our
“navicomputer” for the Novi (just outside of Detroit) system.Driving with a GPS for Motor City Comic
Con is somewhat ironic, because after so many years of making this pilgrimage
up to the Suburban Collection Showcase (home of MCCC) would be something we
could do on memory alone? We probably could… but as a Luke Skywalker fan, “I
like to keep it on Manual Control for a while.”

photo by: Anna Rossman

Once we found parking and get inside the convention hall,
the thing that struck me the most is how jam-packed the show floor is with
vendors, artist and celebrity guests. Motor City has always been known for booking a wide
selection of guests from your favorite TV shows, movies and even
wrestling. This year, Jeremy
Bulloch -- Rebel Legion Honorary Member and “Boba Fett” from the Empire Strikes
Back and Return of the Jedi – was in attendance.I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bulloch and his wife at
several events over the years; but it’s fun to watch the NEW members get to
meet him for the first time.There
was even a significant number Ohio Mercs from Rancor Clan who drove up just to
see the original Mandalorian bounty hunter.

In addition to meeting some of your favorite sci-fi/comic
book stars, another great thing about Motor City Con is the Star Wars fan group
area – which Great Lakes Base shares with Great Lakes Garrison, R2-Builders and
Suumpir’ade Clan.Motor City Comic
Con has always been one of the largest assembly of Star Wars costumers from
Michigan and Ohio – but also nearby Garrisons and Bases from other states.The group picture on Saturday has
become something of an event in it’s own right.They almost need to include it on the event program schedule.Anytime you bring close to 50+ Star
Wars costumers together in one place, it tends to draw a large crowd of people
with cameras.

photo by: Kristie Johnson

Even after all these
years, the Star Wars groups remain a BIG HIT with fans attending Motor City
Comic Con!

In between photo shots and running to get in line for your
favorite guest autograph or panel, the other great thing about Motor City Comic
Con is that it is a chance to meet fellow GLB and GLG members that you normally
only interact with on the boards or facebook.As I talked with some of our newest GLB members, it occurred
to me that many of the people I remember from past MCCC conventions have long
since retired from Star Wars costuming.I don’t mention this as a “sad” thing (quite the opposite) because it
means these NEW generation of Rebel Legion members are just beginning to build
their own “Motor City Comic Con” memories!And that is something I look forward to driving up next year
to hear about.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

I have been doing this “Star Wars” thing for a long
time!Have been trooping with
Rebel Legion for just over 10 years; longer if you count the days under the
banner of the local Fanforce chapter.As a result, there are certain events (and hosts) which have become not
just annual tradition – but in some cases, long-time friends.

The Free Comic Book Day midnight release party at Carol and
John’s Comic Book Shop is one of those times!

Free Comic Book Day is a nationwide initiative to promote
reading, where comic book publishers issue special editions of popular comic
books that are FREE (hence the name of the event) to pickup at comic shops and
libraries all across the country.What makes FCBD at Carol and John’s so unique is that they host an
annual celebration the night before, with local comic fans lined up around the
block, leading up to midnight when the doors open and fans can be the first to
pickup their FCBD comics.I’m 100%
serious: there are people lined up as early as 4:00pm for comic books that will
be available al over Cleveland the following morning.

photo courtesy: cleveland.com

Yet it’s NOT just a race to get your hands on the latest
comic book that makes FCBD at Carol and John’s so special… it is the party-like
atmosphere that draws the “true believers” to Kamm’s Corner; and that’s where
we come in.Every year, John Dudas
(the “John” in Carol and John’s) invites Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison,
Rancor Clan and joining us this year was Heroes Alliance to help entertain the
crowd waiting outside.As you’d
expect, we take A LOT of pictures with people; many of them wearing costumes of
their own.Over the years, I’ve
start to recognize faces in the crowd, because of the loyal following Carol and
John’s has among the comic book community in Cleveland.

At 10:00pm the “official” party begins!In addition to the store being open
late, Carol and John’s also uses an empty store as an “artist’s row” – with
various local comic artists selling sketch art they create that evening.There is also an art gallery, with
comic book related artwork, available for sale.Carol and John’s also works with local brewers to create special
craft beers for the occasion; this year’s bottles were themed after the release
of “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Eventually, the clock strikes 12:00 and fans pickup their
favorite FCBD comic books!I have
been trooping FCBD at Carol and John’s for as long as I can remember and look
forward to it every year!John
Dudas and Carol (his mother) are two of my favorite people to work with in
planning events in the “Cleveland” system. Only 51 weeks to go until Free Comic
Book Day 2016…

Monday, April 13, 2015

I have been trooping at Yuri’s Night since 2009, since the
event first started in Cleveland.As a kid who grew up a fan of both a Star Wars and NASA, this event is
one of those dream trooping opportunities where I can enjoy both hobbies at the
same time.That is why I never
pass up a chance to bring Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison, Rancor Clan and R2
Builders to the Great Lakes Science Center!

photo by: Joe Sokol

Yuri’s Night Cleveland is part of a worldwide celebration of
space exploration; named after Yuri Gagarin – the first human to launch into
space (April 12 th, 1961).It also
is the date of the first Space Shuttle launch back in 1981.The event is also known as “World Space
Party” in some places.The event
held at Great Lakes Science Center is covers all three floor of the museum,
where guests can enjoy food, drinks, dance floor with live bands and DJs, as
well as full access to the museum and NASA Glenn Visitor’s Center (located
inside GLSC)

While many guests dress up in sci-fi or space-themed costumes,
everyone is amazed when they see our crew of Star Wars characters walking
around.However, once again it was
ScottyK and his R2-D2 who stole the show!Being a Rebel Pilot, I love working with his R2 droid because it
presents the opportunity to have a little fun with the guests as I play-acting "talk" with R2-D2 for everyone to hear… and Scotty (just a few feet away) can use his remote controls to move the droid to respond back to me.Meanwhile, there are Stormtroopers, Jedi, Mandos spread out on every
floor of the GLSC interacting with guest and posing for photos.Honestly, once R2 has his line of photo
requests next to the Skylab 3 module, my night consists of patrolling the
museum checking on the rest of our crew.Also happens to be a nice excuse to explore the GLSC! ;)

photo by: Joe Sokol

This was a busy weekend on the Cleveland lakefront, as the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (next door to the GLSC) was kicking off their
Induction Week festivities; with FREE admission and a fireworks display off the
deck of the steamship William G. Mather, docked between the two museums.

After about three hours in costume, most of our guys change
over into street clothes and enjoy the party!Following the traditional balloon drop and march of the “Sam
Adams" (one of the event sponsors) cardboard cutouts onto the dance floor, it’s
time we make a discreet exit after yet another successful Yuri’s Night
Cleveland.